MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte has authorized local government units to make advance payments for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines, an official said on Thursday.

"Inaprubahan na rin po iyong ating hinihintay na memorandum order for the LGU to procure and make advance payment," said vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr.

(The memorandum order that we are waiting for has been approved for the LGUs to procure and make advance payment for the vaccines.)

A copy of Duterte's memorandum will be issued later Thursday, he told reporters in an online briefing.

The order sets a 50-percent limit for advance payments, said Duterte's spokesman Harry Roque.

"Dahil po sa MO na ito, makakabayad na po ng advance payment ang mga lokal na pamahalaan na bumili ng kanilang mga bakuna," he said in the same briefing.

(Because of this MO, local governments can now make advance payments for vaccines.)


By Jamaine Punzalan
Source: ABS-CBN News